USD Makes Major Coaching Hire: Can JR Blount Turn Toreros Basketball Around?

The University of San Diego may have just made the biggest basketball hire in program history. USD has named JR Blount the 15th head coach of the Toreros men’s basketball program — and his résumé is loaded. Blount arrives from Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball, where he helped build one of the most impressive turnarounds in college basketball under T. J. Otzelberger. During his time there: 🏀 4 straight NCAA Tournament appearances 🏀 2024 Big 12 Tournament championship 🏀 Two Sweet 16 runs 🏀 Program ranked as high as No. 2 in the country Before that, Blount also helped build a strong program with Colorado State Rams men's basketball. Now he takes over a San Diego Toreros program trying to climb the ladder in the West Coast Conference, where Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball have dominated for years. Blount says his vision is simple: Build a program defined by toughness, accountability, and championships. But in today’s era of NIL, transfer portals, and power-conference dominance, rebuilding a mid-major program isn’t easy. Meanwhile around USD athletics: ⚾ San Diego Toreros baseball battled ranked teams including USC Trojans baseball and Oregon State Beavers baseball, showing offensive firepower despite tough losses. 🥎 San Diego Toreros softball bounced back with a series finale win over Idaho State Bengals softball, powered by home runs and strong late pitching. But the biggest story might still be the basketball hire. 👇 San Diego sports fans — weigh in: • Did USD just hire the coach who can change Toreros basketball forever? • Can the Toreros realistically challenge Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s in the WCC? • What should be considered success for JR Blount in his first few seasons? Drop your thoughts in the comments. 🎙️ Braden Surprenant 📻 The Braden Surprenant Show – 97.3 The Fan (San Diego) youtube.com/@b_surp Follow the show on social! https://x.com/b_surp https://x.com/b_surpshow https://x.com/fmarkz324 https://x.com/973TheFanSD https://www.instagram.com/b_surp https://www.tiktok.com/@b_surp